Tower Review Committee Supplemental Information

WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SITE PLACEMENT

The Tower Review Committee (TRC) must receive the application package by the close of business on the first Tuesday of any month in order for the application to be included in the review meeting for that month. Otherwise, review of the application will be deferred until the following month.

TRC meetings are held on the last Tuesday of any month in which applications have been received and are open to the public.

The application package must consist of eight complete original sets, in color where applicable, and be collated in the following order:

Plus:

  • $5,000 Application Fee (Make check payable to Baltimore County in accordance with Section 15-9 of the Baltimore County Code)
  • Electronic PDF file or eight CDs or DVDs containing the application, appendices and all supporting documents in color and as described in the Required Attachments to TRC Application section

Note: The TRC will not duplicate or collate the application documents to make up the requested quantity. Failure to comply with the application requirements will cause review of the application to be delayed or rejected.

REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS TO TRC APPLICATION

  1. Submit a Letter of Proposal that identifies the client applicant and representative, the intended site location and a description of the project. The letter must be on official letterhead stationery and signed by the client or a representative.
  2. Provide signed proof of property owner’s permission to use property.
  3. Provide a description of the target service area, an explanation of the need for the site and the type of services that will be provided. For example, explain the extent to which the proposed site is necessary for coverage, capacity or other service interests.
  4. Provide a site plan that includes the following:
    • Color vicinity maps
    • Proposed site location
    • Zone classifications of proposed location and adjacent properties
    • Type and description of pole and antennas and their location in relation to adjacent properties
    • Illustrated design of pole and antennas
    • 100-year flood plain analysis
    • Historic and environmental determinations
    • FAA and FCC compliance data
  5. If the zone of the property to be used for this site is other than a preferred medium- to high-density commercial zone, explain why the site could not be placed on property in a preferred commercial zone.
  6. Provide eight sets of blueprint-sized engineering drawings of approximately 24 by 36 inches, including:
    • Elevation profile of the proposed structure indicating height of proposed antennas and heights designated for future attachments
    • Any applicable items including ice-bridge, cabling, equipment shed, cabinets, etc.
    • Setback distances from the nearest residence and residential property lines
  7. Provide the antenna specifications, preferably in the form of manufacturer's cut-sheets showing design sketches or photos.
  8. Provide Radio Frequency (RF) propagation via in-color contour maps of the service area illustrating current coverage with existing sites, with and without the proposed antennas as proposed, and with antennas at elevations of both 10 and 20 feet lower and higher than proposed. Identify the main arterial roadways. Please show expected coverage contours at the target signal level and at least plus and minus 5 decibels. (You may be requested to research additional signal levels.) Decibel levels must be shown and labeled for the type of coverage required, e.g., in vehicle or in building coverage. Include a color legend to indicate desired coverage level and to correspond with other explored signal levels. Clearly identify the antenna elevations upon which the model is based.
  9. Provide a statement of justification for the preferred location, including identification and descriptions of considered alternative locations or structures within a one-mile radius from the proposed site and explanations as to why they could not be used to achieve the target coverage or to accommodate carriers’ antennas. Include address, plus latitude and longitude, of each alternative. Include supporting RF maps as specified above, both with and without the alternatives to demonstrate why the alternatives could not be used to achieve the desired coverage. If there were non-RF reasons why those alternatives would not work, provide an explanation of why they could not be used. Include documents of denial by other property owners. State whether or not the new structure is proposed to replace an existing structure.
  10. Provide an RF emissions level report or letter.
  11. If drive tests, balloon tests or other similar methods of analysis were used in selecting this site or rejecting an alternative site, attach a copy of the RF contour map illustrating the test measurements or, for balloon tests, attach color photocopies showing the balloon and simulations of the structure proposed.
  12. Provide a statement of how the site will impact the community, as well as any plans to minimize its impact such as considerations to screen the site or disguise the new structure (e.g., flag, tree or light pole; low-profile attachment; concealed antennas; etc.). Include county-designated scenic viewshed or route information.
  13. Provide community outreach documentation. Include dates and contact information for community groups and for individuals contacted, as well as the status or outcome of the attempts.
  14. Submit color PDF files of the complete application package electronically via email attachment to celltower@baltimorecountymd.gov, or copy PDF files of the complete application package to eight CDs or DVDs and deliver to:

Office of Information Technology—Electronic Services
Attention: Cell Tower Coordinator
11112 Gilroy Road, Suite 101
Hunt Valley, Maryland 21031

TRC EXEMPTION REVIEW INSTRUCTIONS

For each site request, submit the following documents via either email attachment or physical mail delivery (see both addresses under item 12 above):

  • Online inquiry form
  • Signed proposal letter identifying the site location, structure, its use, zoning and any other pertinent project details. (Note: Requests for multiple sites may be listed under one proposal letter or on a separate spreadsheet)
  • Preliminary construction drawings or a sketch of the project plan—must be dated
  • Aerial map
  • Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) Real Estate Assessment copy